2021 Kia Stinger Review

　　

2021 Kia Stinger Review

byCameron RogersManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　The 2021 Kia Stinger is not your everyday sedan. With its coupe-like styling, standard rear-wheel drive and an available turbocharged V6 engine that thumps out 365 horsepower, the Stinger evokes the style and performance of a European sport sedan. Yet it's also quite practical — its hatchback design opens up more cargo room than almost any other sedan in its class — and comes with Kia's great warranty. 

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Kia Stinger GT-Line 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$188/mo  for Stinger GT-Line

　　Stinger GT-Line

　　GT-Line 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $33,090 MSRPGT-Line 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $35,290 MSRPGT 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $39,590 MSRPGT 4dr Sedan AWD (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $41,790 MSRPGT1 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $45,490 MSRPGT1 4dr Sedan AWD (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $47,690 MSRPGT2 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $50,390 MSRPGT2 4dr Sedan AWD (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $52,590 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　Granted, this sedan isn't for everybody. It's more expensive than commonplace sedans such as the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry and (arguably) not as prestigious as an Audi or a BMW. But overall we think Kia has come up with a great niche sedan that delivers impressive performance at an accessible price.

　　

What's it like to live with?

Want to know even more about the Kia Stinger? Check out our editorial experts' long-term test of a Kia Stinger GT2. How was the interior and visibility from inside this fastback sedan? Was the cargo room big enough for road trips? How was our Stinger GT test car's reliability? Learn this and more from our yearlong 20,000-mile test. Note that while we tested a 2018 Stinger, our observations still apply to the 2021 model as well.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.2

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.5/10

　　How does the Stinger drive? The Stinger is fun to drive. We tested the GT. It doesn't launch very hard from a full stop, but nail the accelerator at speed and you'll be impressed by the thrust from the twin-turbo V6. Our test car posted a 0-60 mph time of 5.0 seconds. That's quick, though some comparable luxury sport sedans are a little quicker.

　　Around turns, this big sedan exhibits some body roll even when the dampers are in their Sport setting. Still, the Stinger GT handles well and responds the moment you start moving the wheel. The steering effort is moderate, in contrast to the too-light feeling in other Kias.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Stinger? In the standard Comfort driving mode, the GT's adaptive suspension dampers smooth out road imperfections. The ride is firmer in Sport mode but livable. But the Stinger lacks the ride sophistication of luxury sedans, and it can get a little jittery on coarse pavement.

　　Seat comfort is also a little lacking. The front seats are supportive and offer multiple adjustments, but some might find the padding overly firm. The seat bottom is also on the narrow side. Little wind or road noise makes it inside the cabin, allowing for a quiet ride without much vibration either. The V6 engine has a constant pleasing sound that kicks up a notch in Sport mode.

　　

Interior

7.0/10

　　How’s the interior? Drivers have a wide range of adjustability on the top GT2 trim's sport seats, even at the side bolsters and thigh extension. It's easy to find the perfect position. The steering wheel is highly adjustable as well. Unfortunately, it's not so easy to get in and out. The doorsills are wide, and the rear roofline requires passengers to duck to enter.

　　Space in the front seat is reasonable, though taller drivers might brush the roof on models with a sunroof. The rear is less hospitable, with restricted headroom and legroom. The touchscreen is a bit of a reach from the driving position as well, and it can be difficult to see over the high hood from the low seating position.

　　

Technology

8.5/10

　　How’s the tech? Connectivity in the Stinger is straightforward and effective. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and the 15-speaker Harman Kardon audio system on most models pumps out high-quality sound.

　　Safety-wise, most trims also come with Smart Cruise Control, an adaptive cruise control system that can bring the Stinger GT down to a full stop. Forward collision mitigation and lane keeping assist are standard on the GT1 and GT2 trims.

　　

Storage

8.5/10

　　How’s the storage? The Stinger makes the most of its hatchback design. It easily bests the carrying capabilities of a typical sedan. The hands-free hatch that activates when you stand behind the bumper for a few seconds is a nice touch. Up front, the Stinger has a sufficient amount of storage space for small items.

　　For small-child transport, the Stinger has outboard car seat anchors that are hidden behind covers. The anchors themselves are inset pretty far from the front of the covers. The top tether points are located about halfway down the seatback. You'll have to move the cargo cover to reach the tether points.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates that the base Stinger with a four-cylinder engine gets up to 25 mpg combined. Then there's a sharp drop to 20 mpg for the V6. In both cases, the Stinger lags behind other cars with comparable performance.

　　

Value

8.5/10

　　Is the Stinger a good value? Kia's warranties are among the longest in the industry. This extensive coverage figures heavily into the value equation. The Stinger also offers good bang for the buck on its own accord. It has unique buttons and components compared with the rest of the Kia lineup, plus soft surfaces on the doors and attractive trim on the dash. From a base model all the way up to a GT2, the Stinger gives you a pleasing combo of luxury and performance.

　　

Wildcard

8.5/10

　　The Stinger offers head-turning styling and backs it up with true sport-sedan handling. We also like its approachable demeanor, which makes the Stinger a breeze to drive easily and a blast to drive hard. We suspect new owners will approve.

　　

Which Stinger does zzdcar recommend?

The turbocharged four-cylinder is fine, but the Stinger is a sport sedan through and through. You owe it to yourself to get the most powerful version possible. That makes the GT the best starting point. For our money, the GT1 is the way to go. Over and above the base GT, you get all manner of performance and luxury bits, including adaptive suspension dampers, ventilated seats, a larger touchscreen and a kicking sound system. We think it's a steal.

　　

2021 Kia Stinger models

The 2021 Kia Stinger is a midsize sedan with a hatchback-style liftgate. It is sold in four trims: GT-Line, GT, GT1 and GT2. The GT-Line is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (255 horsepower, 260 lb-ft of torque). All others use a turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 (365 hp, 376 lb-ft). An eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive are standard across the board, and all-wheel drive is available on any trim. Feature highlights include:

　　GT-Line

　　The entry-level GT-Line starts you off with:

　　18-inch alloy wheels Keyless entry and ignition Auto-dimming rearview mirror Dual-zone automatic climate control Power-adjustable driver's seat Heated front seats Leather upholstery 7-inch touchscreen Six-speaker audio system Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Wireless charging pad Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking) Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)The Stinger GT-Line has one notable option package:

　　Sun and Sound package Sunroof Power-adjustable passenger seat 8-inch touchscreen Navigation system 15-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system GT

　　In addition to the potent V6 engine, upgrading to the GT nets you:

　　19-inch wheels LED headlights Limited-slip differential (RWD only; enhances available traction when accelerating) Torque vectoring (AWD only; enhances available traction and handling balance) Ambient interior lighting Power-adjustable passenger seat Nine-speaker audio system Front parking sensors Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the Stinger and the car in front)GT1

　　The GT1 includes additional luxury features, such as:

　　Adaptive suspension dampers (improves both ride comfort and handling) Auto-dimming exterior mirrors Automatic wipers Sunroof Power-adjustable steering wheel Digital instrument panel Driver-seat memory settings Ventilated front seats 8-inch touchscreen Navigation system 15-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position)GT2

　　The range-topping GT2 includes everything above, plus:

　　Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves) Premium leather upholstery Adjustable thigh extension and side bolsters for driver's seat Four-way lumbar adjustment for passenger seat Heated rear seats 360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Stinger and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)

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2021 Stinger Highlights

Trim: GT-LineGTGT1GT2GT-Line

　　

Base MSRP	$33,090
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	25 MPG
Cost to Drive	$188/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	23.3 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles